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Workplace Culture in the Christmas Season: Tips to Keep Morale High

The Christmas season can be a challenging time for workplace culture. It’s often a time when people are busy with family and holiday preparations, and work can sometimes fall by the wayside.  So it would be understandable if your team seemed…well, a little less productive than usual. For many the festive season is one of the busiest times of year, so how do you maintain team productivity whilst also enjoying a little bit of festive fun along the way? Stay tuned, because we are about to share our top tips to do just that!

But first, let’s take a look at some statistics on workplace productivity during Christmas. Over 60% of employees are mentally distracted from their jobs by Christmas as early as mid-December, according to a study from HR data analysis company Peakon.

78% of employees even admit to shopping online during work hours in the build-up to Christmas and searching of gifts and post-holiday deals.

And research shows that in fact productivity is lower for the whole month of December as well as January. 

%

admit to shopping online during work hours in the build-up to Christmas

 

 

There are a few key reasons why workplace productivity takes a hit over Christmas. For one, people are more likely to take time off work to spend with family and friends. This can lead to reduced staffing levels and increased pressure on those who are still working. Additionally, the holiday season can be a stressful time for many people, which can lead to lower levels of concentration and motivation.

So how can you combat these festive workplace productivity blues? Here are our top tips:

Planning

Plan Ahead

One of the best things you can do for your team during the Christmas period is to plan ahead. By getting everyone on the same page early, you can avoid having unrealistic expectations put on your team. Plus, it’ll help your workplace culture stay healthy and productive during a time that can be full of distractions.

Here are a few tips to help you get started:

– Start by discussing what everyone’s availability will be over the holidays; this includes employees who may have different religious or cultural celebrations happening at this time.

– Make a list (and check it twice!) of deadlines and project milestones that need to be met before or after the holidays; include some buffer time in case something gets delayed.

– Create a plan for how work will be distributed among the team; this will help prevent anyone from feeling overwhelmed

By taking the time to plan ahead, you can ensure that your team has a happy and productive Christmas period.

Collaborate

Collaborate

When it comes to workplace Christmas celebrations, it pays to collaborate with other department leaders. This way you can come up with a plan that strikes the right balance between celebrating and work commitments. For example, you could combine department parties and give employees the option to respectfully decline an invitation if they need to focus on work. Or you could organise day-time activities instead of late nights, which can reduce alcohol consumption and make things more family-friendly.

By being proactive and working together, you can ensure that your workplace Christmas celebrations are enjoyable for everyone involved. And isn’t that what the festive season is all about?

Wellbeing

Promote wellbeing

The workplace can be a tough environment at the best of times, but add in the stress of the holiday season and it can be a recipe for disaster. As a leader, it’s important to encourage your team to take care of themselves both physically and mentally during this time. Here are some tips to help promote wellbeing in your workplace over the Christmas period:

– Encourage employees to get active: Exercise is a great way to relieve stress and boost morale. Why not organise a workplace social event that gets everyone moving? A group walk or fun team building exercise is a great way to get people interacting and burning off some energy.

– Urge employees to take regular breaks: It’s easy for employees to get lost in their work during the busy holiday period. Remind them to take regular breaks, even if it’s just for a few minutes. Remind your team them to step away from their desk and take a walk, have a chat with a colleague or grab a coffee.

– Promote healthy eating habits: With all the tempting Christmas treats around, it can be hard for employees to resist indulging. Encourage employees to make healthy choices by providing healthy snacks in the workplace or scheduling opportunities for employees to share healthy meal breaks.

– Help employees get a good night’s sleep: Lack of sleep can lead to feelings of irritability and stress. Help employees get a good night’s sleep by encouraging them to stick to a regular sleep schedule and wind down before bedtime.

Christmas Party

Celebrate

After all, this is what the festive season is all about. So make sure you take the time to celebrate with your team at the office Christmas party! This is a great way to celebrate the year that was, connect your team and most importantly have some fun! Getting everyone involved in the planning will help create a sense of camaraderie and team spirit. Stuck for ideas? Check out our Christmas party quiz for some inspiration, or check out our amazing Christmas themed team events and Christmas charity events, that are sure to impress any team.

Be Flexible

Finally, try to be understanding if someone isn’t performing at their usual level. Everyone is different and some people find the holiday season more challenging than others. Cut them some slack and remember that it’s not always easy to stay productive during this time of year!

So there you have it, our top tips for surviving the holiday season. By following these simple tips, we know that your team will be able to maintain productivity throughout the silly season and beyond into the years to come. So let’s finish off 2022 with a bang, and welcome in 2023 to be our best and most productive year yet!

Do you have any workplace Christmas survival tips to share? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.